Machine Shop Recommendations?

[evanz80]

I'm going to bite the bullet and get my head gasket repaired as preventive maintenance (see my other message about "Robbie's coming to town").

After Robbie gets the head off the truck, it will need to go to a machine shop for work, and I'd be interested in hearing your recommendations for machine shops. I spoke with Rory after our Ham exam and he mentioned that Ali and Onur had good luck with Edwards Engines on 2nd Street.

Anyone else anybody would receommend? I will be using Toyota parts from Dan, but I just want to find the best machine shop that I can. I only plan to get this repair done once! Also, feel free to pass along the names of shops to avoid. That can be important too.

Thanks -
Evan

 

[OGBeno]

I'm going to bite the bullet and get my head gasket repaired as preventive maintenance (see my other message about "Robbie's coming to town").

After Robbie gets the head off the truck, it will need to go to a machine shop for work, and I'd be interested in hearing your recommendations for machine shops. I spoke with Rory after our Ham exam and he mentioned that Ali and Onur had good luck with Edwards Engines on 2nd Street.

Anyone else anybody would receommend? I will be using Toyota parts from Dan, but I just want to find the best machine shop that I can. I only plan to get this repair done once! Also, feel free to pass along the names of shops to avoid. That can be important too.

Thanks -
Evan

x1 billion on Edwards Racing Engines on 2nd & Constitution. Scott (younger kid there) learned from his father (forgot his name) who is an old dude who walks around in coveralls and curses all the time....always a good sign for a machine shop. The wife runs the front desk and they do an awesome job. They now have experience with 3 1FZ heads and Scott was very impressed with how heavy duty the head was for an aluminum head.

That said, if you are in a hurry when Robbie is in town, call and talk with Scott--better yet, stop by and say hello. Really nice people. Tell them what you are doing and what turn around time you need. I gave them 2 months to do my head--I was in no hurry. I am not sure if they do "quick turn arounds" but if you give them a head's up I am sure they can work it.

Very good work there.

-o-

 

[reklund5]

I've had better luck recently with Budlong than Edwards. They're close to Karl Malone, and have done great work for me. I just picked up my latest 7M Turbo engine project from there and the work was top notch. It's hard to find a shop that is willing to do good work on unfamiliar engines. Most know how to make a 350 turn out nice, but drop the ball when they have to get the book out and look up specs for an engine that they haven't worked on recently.

Edwards has a great reputation around town for domestics, but I haven't used them in years. I'm not saying there no good, just that I haven't been there in a while.

Go by and see Todd at Budlong- and explain your needs to him and see if he can do a quick turnaround for you. My project took a while, but I didn't put any pressure on him to be fast.

Budlong Motorsports
9900 Trumbull Dr. SE
Albuquerque, NM 87123

(505) 275-3996Are you going to consider any fancy ARP studs or a multi layer steel headgasket?

Ryan

 

[evanz80]

x1 billion on Edwards Racing Engines on 2nd & Constitution. Scott (younger kid there) learned from his father (forgot his name) who is an old dude who walks around in coveralls and curses all the time....always a good sign for a machine shop. The wife runs the front desk and they do an awesome job. They now have experience with 3 1FZ heads and Scott was very impressed with how heavy duty the head was for an aluminum head.

Very good work there.

-o-

Thanks Onur - I appreciate the information. I will stop in and talk to them. Depending on how much other work Robbie has to do while he's here, a quick turnaround will be important. Maybe the first week of January is a slow time in a machine shop? I guess we'll see.

Looking forward to wheeling in the snow soon!

 

[evanz80]

I've had better luck recently with Budlong than Edwards. They're close to Karl Malone, and have done great work for me. I just picked up my latest 7M Turbo engine project from there and the work was top notch. It's hard to find a shop that is willing to do good work on unfamiliar engines. Most know how to make a 350 turn out nice, but drop the ball when they have to get the book out and look up specs for an engine that they haven't worked on recently.

Budlong Motorsports
9900 Trumbull Dr. SE
Albuquerque, NM 87123

(505) 275-3996Are you going to consider any fancy ARP studs or a multi layer steel headgasket?
Ryan

Thanks Ryan -

I appreciate the info. I will also talk to Budlong and see what they can do for me.

I don't know the 7M turbo engine - is that for your Supra?

I'm not planning to do anything "fancy" - I had planned on sticking with the tried and true Toyota stuff for longevity and reliability. Am I missing something here? I'd be interested in hearing more about it if you feel like explaining a bit.

Thanks -
Evan